HAPPENING NOW, THE SUPREME COURT IS HEARING ARGUMENTS OVER NORTH CAROLINA’S CONGRESSIONAL MAPS. AND WHETHER THEY WERE DRAWN TO FAVOR ONE PARTY OVER ANOTHER. SOME 200 PEOPLE GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING CALLING FOR AN END TO THE PRACTICE. THE JUSTICES ARE LOOKING AT TWO CASES. ONE DEALS WITH REPUBLICAN-DRAWN DISTRICTS IN NORTH CAROLINA. THE OTHER IS ABOUT ONE DISTRICT IN MARYLAND, WHICH DEMOCRATS ADMIT THEY CREATED TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR REPUBLICANS TO WIN. THE DECISION COULD HELP SHAPE THE MAKEUP OF CONGRESS AND STATE LEGISLATURES OVER THE NEXT DECADE. THAT’S BECAUSE A NEW ROUND OF REDISTRICTING WILL FOLLOW THE 2020 CEN

The Supreme Court seems wary of getting federal judges involved in determining when electoral district maps are too partisan.The high court on Tuesday was hearing more than two hours of arguments in two cases involving the issue. The first case involves North Carolina's heavily Republican congressional map, and the second involves a map drawn by Democrats in Maryland.In deciding the two cases the high court could come out with the first limits on partisan politics in the drawing of electoral districts. It also could ultimately decide that federal judges have no role in trying to police political mapmaking.Democrats and Republicans eagerly await the outcome of the cases because a new round of redistricting will follow the 2020 census. The decision could help shape the makeup of Congress and state legislatures over the next decade.Last year, the court essentially punted on cases from Wisconsin and the same Maryland congressional district that's up for consideration Tuesday.

WASHINGTON —

The Supreme Court seems wary of getting federal judges involved in determining when electoral district maps are too partisan.

The high court on Tuesday was hearing more than two hours of arguments in two cases involving the issue. The first case involves North Carolina's heavily Republican congressional map, and the second involves a map drawn by Democrats in Maryland.

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In deciding the two cases the high court could come out with the first limits on partisan politics in the drawing of electoral districts. It also could ultimately decide that federal judges have no role in trying to police political mapmaking.

Democrats and Republicans eagerly await the outcome of the cases because a new round of redistricting will follow the 2020 census. The decision could help shape the makeup of Congress and state legislatures over the next decade.

Last year, the court essentially punted on cases from Wisconsin and the same Maryland congressional district that's up for consideration Tuesday.